Structure,Biosynthesis, and Occurrence of Bacterial Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are widespread plant natural products with potent toxicity and bioactivity. Herein, the identification of bacterial PAs from entomopathogenic bacteria using differential analysis by 2D NMR spectroscopy (DANS) and mass spectrometry is described. Their biosynthesis was elucidated to involve a non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase. The occurrence of these biosynthesis gene clusters in Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria indicates an important biological function in bacteria.     

Recent Advances on the Total Syntheses of Communesin Alkaloids and Perophoramidine

The communesin alkaloids are a diverse family of Penicillium‐derived alkaloids. Their caged‐polycyclic structure and intriguing biological profiles have made these natural products attractive targets for total synthesis. Similarly, the ascidian‐derived alkaloid, perophoramidine, is structurally related to the communesins and has also become a popular target for total synthesis. This review serves to summarize the many elegant approaches that have been developed to access the communesin alkaloids and perophoramidine. Likewise, strategies to access the communesin ring system are reviewed.     

Total Synthesis of Codeine

In this paper, a new strategy towards the synthesis of codeine and morphine is reported. This new approach features a cascade cyclization to construct the dihydrofuran ring, and an intramolecular palladium catalyzed C?H olefination of unactivated aliphatic alkene to install the morphinan ring system.     

Mass spectrometry detection of minor new meridianins from the antarctic colonial ascidians Aplidium falklandicum and Aplidium meridianum

Taking into account the broad biological activities found in the meridianin indole alkaloids isolated to date, we have re‐examined the organic extracts of an Antarctic collection of the tunicates Aplidium meridianum and A. falklandicum (Chordata: Ascidiacea) by HPLC in conjunction with a high‐resolution mass spectrometer (HPLC‐MS). A new set of analogs of meridianins A–G has been detected, and their structures are proposed on the basis of the molecular formulae identified by LC‐HRMS analysis using a C18 column with a gradient of water/acetonitrile and an LTQ‐FT‐MS Orbitrap detector. Remarkably, dimers derived from meridianin A and from meridianin B or E were also detected. Our findings provide further evidence of the broad variability within the meridianin‐like derivatives of this highly bioactive alkaloid family. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibacterial Constituents from Isodon Excisoides

Two new ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, taihangexcisoidesin C (1) and its acetonide, taihangexcisoidesin D (2), along with 9 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Isodon excisoides. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy analysis. Compounds 3‐6 and 8‐9 were tested for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus. Compound 6 showed inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus MIC values 32, 16 and 16 μg/mL, respectively. All of the compounds didn't show effects on Escherichia coli (MIC > 10 mg/mL).     

Two Novel Alkaloids from Zanthoxylum nitidum

Two novel alkaloids, 4,5‐dihydroxy‐1‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐2‐(trichloromethyl)‐3H‐indolium chloride ( 1 ) and 4‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐N,N‐dimethylbenzenamine ( 2 ), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses.     

New Diterpene Alkaloids from Aconitum sungpanense var. leucanthum

Five new C₁₉ diterpene alkaloids, leucanthumsines A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), C ( 3 ), D ( 4 ), and E ( 5 ), were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Aconitum sungpanense var. leucanthum, together with the known C₁₉ diterpene alkaloids pseudaconine, neoline, 1‐O‐methyldelphisine, crassicaudine, chasmanine, talatisamine, indaconitine, ezochansmanine, and leueantine D. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated by HR‐MS and advanced NMR methods, including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR (DEPT), ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments.     

Diterpenoid Alkaloids of Delphinium buschianum Grossh.

From the aerial parts of Delphinium buschianum Grossh ., collected in Turkey, a new diterpenoid alkaloid 1 , named budelphine, was isolated along with the known diterpenoid alkaloids karakoline ( 2 ), 18‐hydroxy‐14‐O‐methylgadesine ( 3 ), delsoline ( 4 ), lapaconidine ( 5 ), columbianine ( 6 ), 14‐benzoylneoline ( 7 ), and hetisine ( 9 ). The structure of 1 was established on the basis of ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC NMR studies.